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| Free Pollard poster |
An Israeli soldier who was held captive by Hamas for 5 years has urged President Obama to release jailed Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, ahead of his visit to Israel, according to a message posted on the soldier’s facebook page.
Gilad Shalit, who was held captive by Hamas for 1941 days, joined the campaign to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, now serving his 28th year in a U.S. prison.
Shalit, now on a long trip in Australia, posted a personal message asking for the release through the official facebook page of the campaign, as he called on all involved in the fight for his freedom to join efforts to ensure that Pollard is released as well.
"I have signed a petition and ask that you do the same. Liberty is a great gift and also privilege," Shalit wrote.
"I thank those who worked for my release and now I ask you to join the fight to free Pollard,” he continued.
More than 150,000 people have signed the petition, which was published online last month pending the visit of U.S. president Barack Obama, to Israel, scheduled for next week.
"It is our fervent hope and prayer that your next trip to Israel will bring the good news that we expected and that this tragic and painful episode can finally be put to an end once and for all," the petition reads.
A year ago, Shalit signed another petition, together with a group of artists and public figures, that also called for the release of Pollard. The petition was handed to President Shimon Peres on his visit to the U.S. in order to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.